Schistosoma mansoni: antigen preparations which induce antibodies to schistosomula surface antigens

To determine the easiest method of raising antibodies to antigens exposed on the surface of schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni, several crude preparations of the parasite were used to immunize mice. Schistosomula released products, whole worm homogenate, and parasite eggs all raised antibodies which bound to the surface of live schistosomula, although the anti-egg antiserum did so less strongly. Anti-schistosomula released products antiserum recognized three schistosomula surface antigens of Mr 15,000, 20,000, and 32,000, anti-whole worm homogenate recognized 20,000, 32,000, and 38,000 Mr surface antigens, and anti-egg recognized a less than 200,000 Mr surface antigen. None of these antigens was recognized when the labeled preparation was immunoprecipitated with its homologous antiserum. When these antisera were used to immunoprecipitate cell free translation products of adult worm RNA, the antischistosomula released products and anti-whole worm homogenate recognized an 11,000 Mr doublet while the anti-egg precipitated 14,000 and 44,000 Mr antigens. Other crude preparations were used to immunize rabbits; Formalin-fixed schistosomula, denuded adult worms, and purified worm tegument all induced antibodies which recognized the 20,000, 32,000, and 38,000 Mr schistosomula surface antigens.